No such thing as a stupid question?

[John Vernon]

I just moved (about a month ago) to the area from Colorado. When I googled "what kind of fish are there in the Potomac" this site came up. I'm very excited to find it!

As mostly a trout fisherman in smaller rivers and creeks, I have some pretty uninformed questions. 

I left my frameless pontoon boat in CO. Is the tidal Potomac fishable from a pontoon boat?

Is there any wading in the Potomac?

Recommendations on flies? (I think I'll need to update my box.)

I plan to get to a beer tie, but I can't make it until September. 

I'm looking forward to learning some new techniques and fishing for some new species.

Cheers.

[Bamboo Ed]

Your raft is perfect for Shenandoah river, which is a small mouth bass fishery. Possible to day trip. Canoe companies will ferry you/your vehicle.

Potomac can be waded above Great Falls in lower water. If you search the archive, there is plenty of guidance on the flows at which it is safe in certain areas to wade. The gorge below the falls is dangerous; lots of people have drowned there.

[Bamboo Ed]

Your big bright flashy trout streamers work on bass. Closure minnow in olive or chartreuse. Surface baits like poppers are fun.

[Gregg DiSalvo]

Welcome to the area!  There is certainly a lot of good fishing.  

Number one on your list should be Rock Creek Park.  It's up there with glacier, rocky, and smokey.

Actually, I've never fished there, but I'm sure it would be fun with a 2-3 wt?

I second the Shenandoah recommendation.  Tons of small smallmouth and some big ones sprinkled in.  It's great for a float and wade trip.  As for wading the potomac, there is some decent area up near Point of Rocks.  

Flies:

Clousers, deceivers, poppers, sliders, damsels

Looking ofrward to seeing you at a beer tie.

[namfos]

Only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask.  All of these are good ones. Welcome to Our Nation's Capital, John.

Re wading: I've found the most important river gages are Little Falls (for below Great Falls) and Point of Rocks (above Great Falls) 

I've found this site's postings (and his publications) helpful http://www.switchfisher.com/

Mark

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 9:02:42 PM UTC-4, John Vernon wrote:

[namfos]

LOL!

[namfos]

Also, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)  has some useful maps at https://www.potomacriver.org/resources/maps/mapdownload/ one set for download and one set for sale. 

C&O Canal National Historic Park provides the most access to the river, https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/maps.htm

In those sections that have water you're likely to find some big carp - best you talk to our Carp Whisperer about them, as I've yet  to manage hooking one. ;-)

Mark

[ernie....@gmail.com]

Check out the Potomac River Smallmouth Club. They meet monthly and have many planned floats on the Potomac and 'doah. Unfortunately, the weather has forced many a cancellation but we still have lots of time before the chill sets in...